Frame clamp for electrically connecting electrical leads

ABSTRACT

A plate-like diaphragm member has an insertion opening formed therethrough corresponding to and cooperating with the funnel of a housing for a frame clamp when the diaphragm member is in position in the housing. One of the walls of the funnel of the housing and the diaphragm member may be provided as an integral member of synthetic material. A clamping body is affixed to the diaphragm member at the insertion opening thereof so that an electrical conductor passes through the funnel and the opening into the clamping body. A threaded clamp threadedly coupled to the clamping body moves the bottom of the clamping body upward thereby bringing the electrical conductor into electrical contact with a fixed contact member in the clamping body.

United States Patent Rauter et al.

[15] 3,657,684 [4 1 Apr. 18, 1972 [54] FRAME CLAMP FOR ELECTRICALLY CONNECTING ELECTRICAL LEADS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 456,714 7/1968 Switzerland ..339/272 A [72] Inventors: Gunther Rauter; Edgar Wiessner, both of Amberg, Germany Primary Examiner-Joseph H. McGlynn Attorney-Curt M. Avery, Arthur E. .Wilfond, Herbert L. [73] Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschatt, Berlin and Lerner and Daniel J. Tick Munich, Germany 22 Filed: June 17, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT A plate-like diaphragm member has an insertion opening [2H App! 47000 formed therethrough corresponding to and cooperating with the funnel of a housing for a frame clamp when the diaphragm [30] Foreign Application Priority Data member is in position in the housing. One of the walls of the funnel of the housing and the diaphragm member may be pro- June W69 Germany M 1752 vided as an integral member of synthetic material. A clamping FCI)v 28, I970 Germany ..P 20 09 508.3 body is affixed to the diaphragm member at h insertion opening thereof so that an electrical conductor passes through [52] US. Cl. ..339/266 R, 24/125 R, 287/65, the f l and the Opening into the clamping body A 287/l04, 339/272 A threaded clamp threadedly coupled to the clamping body [51] Int. Cl ..H0lr 7/08 moves the bottom of the clamping body upward thereby bring- Field of Search 339/263 272; ing the electrical conductor into electrical contact with a fixed 24/115 G, 125 R, 135 R; 287/65, 10 contact member in the clamping body.

[56] References Cited 10 Claims, 8 Drawing lFigures UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,496,521 2/1970 Hohorst ..339/272 THREADED ELAMPING MEMBER 3 IIINISINB I PDRIIDN i I 5 FUNNEL 6 .u .u 7 CLAMPING BODY Z HXED Rl'llil ELECTRICAL I counucmn 8 DIAPHRAGM IL NDIIII'I Patented April 18, 1972 3,657,684

' 2 Sheets-Shut 1 I THREADED' ELAMPING, MEMER a q HOUSING 1 onnun I s FUNNEL6 CLAMPING Bow 1 y FIXED ELECTRICAL 1 counucmn 8 DIAPHRAGM u. NOTCH Fig.1

RECESS FIXED CONTACT MEMBER CUT-BUT 17 15/ \MM H G J 11 EXIENSIUN16 A lNSERTION L UPEMNG DIAPHRAGM 1B ZCLAMPINGYBO 13 Patented April 18, 1972 f 3,657,684

- 2 Sheets-Shut 3 FRAME CLAMP FOR ELECTRICALLY CONNECTING ELECTRICAL LEADS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a frame clamp. More particularly, the invention relates to a frame clamp for electrically connecting electrical conductors.

The frame clamp of the invention electrically connects electrical conductors or leads to electrical equipment and comprises a clamping body in a housing which is displaceable in the housing at a lead-in funnel, during the rotation of a threaded clamping member. The frame clamp has a diaphragm ear, tongue, lobe, fin, or the like, at the clamping body for sealing an opening between the bottom of the clamp ing body and the lead-in funnel when the clamping body is moved upward.

Known frame clamps of the aforedescribed type, as described in German Patent No. 1,994,429, have a clamping body having a bevelled fin, lobe, tongue, ear, or the like, which functions to close the opening below the bottom of the clamping body which occurs when the clamping body is moved upward. The production of clamping bodies having specifically shaped bevelled plates, fins, or the like, is relative ly expensive and impairs the stability of the clamping body, since the bevelled fins present weak points at which rents, tears, separations, or the like, occur in the clamping body.

Clamping bodies, as described in German Patent No. 1,996,971, have recesses formed therein at the side of the plates, fins, or the like, to provide better bevelling thereof and are for the purpose of overcoming the aforedescribed difficulties. However, even this design of a clamping body is not free from notch effects during the clamping of the conductors. Furthermore, the manufacture of known clamping bodies presents special problems, since the bottom of the clamping body must have a depression therein to provide a better bearing for the leads to be connected therein.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a new and improved frame clamp for electrically connecting electrical leads.

An object of the invention is to provide a frame clamp for electrically connecting electrical leads, which clamp overcomes the disadvantages of known clamps of similar type.

An object of the invention is to provide a frame clamp for electrically connecting electrical leads, which clamp is sturdy in structure and is not subjected to tearing stresses.

An object of the invention is to provide a frame clamp for electrically connecting electrical leads, which clamp is of simple structure and functions with efficiency, efiectiveness and reliability.

An object of the invention is to provide a frame clamp in which the electrically conducting wires are prevented from slipping in between the bottom of the clamping body and the end of the lead-in funnel, that is, next to the clamping body itself.

An object of the invention is to provide a frame clamp having fewer separate parts, and which may be manufactured by fewer and simpler tools.

ln accordance with the invention, the fin, lobe, tongue, ear, or the like, is provided as a diaphragm in the form of a substantially planar member. The diaphragm'is connected to the clamping body. A lead-in opening is provided for the clamping body.

The frame clamp of the invention pennits the manufacture of the diaphragm from relatively thin material, so that there is a saving of material in comparison with known devices. Since the thickness of the diaphragm does not depend upon the thickness of the wall of the clamping body, the diaphragm may be provided as a locating member or elastic body or spring for the clamping body in the housing. This provides the advantage over known types, that the clamp may be opened without rattling around in the housing or getting lost. This results in a considerable saving in effort with regard to the mounting of the clamping body, since the threaded clamping member need not be turned back while the electrically conductive lead is being connected. Furthermore, the utilization of the diaphragm as a locating or positioning member permits a clear open position for the clamp even when the device is so inclined that the frame clamp or threaded clamping member would have to be rotated from below. Since the diaphragm is manufactured as a separate part, it does not entail additional effort, if a wedge is provided therein and functions to prevent shifting of the solid contact part embedded within the clamping body and guided in the housing, in shifting relation. To accomplish this, it is advantageous to form a cut-out section in the diaphragm. A fixed contact part may be inserted into the cut-out section of the diaphragm and a recess may be formed in the fixed contact part in cooperation with the diaphragm. The position of the cut-out section of the diaphragm and a notch in the clamping body are selected so that the fixed contact part may be readily inserted on the outside, between the notch and the clamp. Since the clamping body is displaceably guided in the housing, the diaphragm may be inserted, if necessary, onto a journal of the clamping body having an opening. To simplify the mounting process even further, however, the diaphragm may be riveted, or otherwise affixed, to the clamping body.

An object of the invention is to improve the frame clamp of the copending patent application to the extent that the manufacture of the housing for the frame clamp is simplified when the diaphragm is movably guided in the housing. This is accomplished by providing the diaphragm with at least one of the walls of the lead-in funnel of the housing extending transversely to the direction of movement of the clamping body. This permits the manufacture of the housing of the frame clamp by utilization of a form or mold divided into two parts only. In order to maintain the clamping intervals in a desired manner, the transverse wall of the funnel of the housing and the diaphragm are preferably provided as an integral member of synthetic material. This also provides the best insulation of the frame clamp from theoutside. When one wall of the funnel is movably guided, a type of labyrinth sealing is additionally provided and increases the resistance to creepage even more. lt may also be of advantage, in the last-mentioned structure, to affix the one wall of the funnel directly to the clamping body, so that said clamping body may also be movably guided via the wall.

In accordance with the invention, a frame clamp for electrically connecting an electrical conductor to a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus, the frame clamp being housed in a housing having a lead-in funnel opening thereinto, com prises a plate-like diaphragm member having an insertion opening formed therethrough corresponding to and cooperating with the funnel of the housing when the diaphragm member is in position in the housing. A clamping body is affixed to the diaphragm member at the insertion opening thereof whereby an electrical conductor passes through the funnel and the insertion opening into the clamping body. The clamping body has a bottom member. A fixed contact member of electrical apparatus extends into the clamping member in the housing. A threaded clamp is threadedly coupled to the clamping body for moving the bottom member of the clamping body upward thereby bringing the electrical conductor into electrical contact with the fixed contact member.

The diaphragm member is substantially elastic and locates the clamping body in the housing. The diaphragm member and the fixed contact member include cooperating means for preventing the displacement of the fixed contact member in the housing.

The cooperating means comprises a cutout formed in the edge of the diaphragm member and an extension formed on the fixed contact member, the extension of the fixed contact member having a recess formed therein which cooperates with the cut-out of the diaphragm member.

The diaphragm member has a recess formed therethrough and the clamping body has an extension seated in the recess and affixed to the diaphragm member. The housing has a notch formed therein and the diaphragm plate has a protrusion extending therefrom and adapted to seat in the notch thereby positioning the frame clamp in the housing.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view, partly in section, of an embodiment of the frame clamp of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clamping body and diaphragm of the frame clamp of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the diaphragm of the frame clamp of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view, partly in section, of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a lateral sectional view of another embodiment of the frame clamp of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional schematic diagram illustrating the notch for manufacturing the housing of the frame clamp of the invention as disclosed in FIGS. 1 to 4; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional diagram of the mold for manufacturing the housing of the frame clamp of the invention as disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 6.

In the FIGS, the same components are identified by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 1, an electrical conductor or lead 1 is connected to electrical equipment, not shown in the FIG. in order to maintain the clarity of illustration, by a frame clamp comprising a clamping body 2. The frame clamp further comprises a threaded clamping member 3 and a diaphragm 4 affixed to the clamping body 2. The clamping body 2 and the diaphragm 4 are inserted into a housing portion 5 having a lead-in funnel 6 formed therein to accommodate the electrical conductor 1.

The threaded clamping member 3 is threadedly engaged in internally threaded bores of superimposed or stacked end members of the clamping body 2 assembled as a frame. A fixed contact member 7, which is inserted in the clamping body 2, functions as a pressure member for the threaded clamping member 3, so that during the turning of said threaded clamping member about its axis, said clamping body and the diaphragm 4 are moved against the direction of rotation of said threaded clamping member. The bottom 8 of the clamping body 2 then abuts the electrical conductor I and presses said electrical conductor against the fixed contact member 7.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the clamping body 2 and the diaphragm 4 are affixed to each other via a projection, protrusion, extension, attachment, or the like, 9 of the clamping body 2 which extends into a recess 10 formed through the diaphragm 4. If the protrusion 9 is riveted, or otherwise suitably affixed, in the recess 10, the diaphragm 4 is securely affixed to the clamping body 2.

An insertion opening 11 is formed through the diaphragm 4 (FIGS. 2 and 3) for accommodating the electrically conducting lead 1 and for directing said lead into the opening of the clamping body 2. The diaphragm 4 has a plate-like portion 12 shaped as a fin, lobe, tongue, ear, or the like. A hump, bulge, protrusion, or the like, 13 is formed in the ear-shaped part 12 of the diaphragm 4 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and is accommodated in a notch, recess, slot, groove, or the like, 14 formed in the housing portion 5 (FIG. 1).

The ear-shaped part 12 of the diaphragm 4 is elastic, so that the protrusion 13 on the surface thereof fits into and engages with, or seats in, the notch 14. The positioning or locking of the protrusion 13 of the diaphragm 4 in the notch 14 establishes the open position of the frame clamp and affixes the clamping body 2 stationarily within the housing portion 5.

The fixed contact member is displaced mounted or guided in the housing portion 5 by means of notches therein, not shown in the FIGS. The fixed contact member 7 is prevented from displacement by the diaphragm 4 of the frame clamp of the invention. This is achieved, as shown in FIG. 3, by forming a cut-out, notch, groove, or the like, 15 in an edge of the diaphragm 4. An extension 16 (FIG. 4) of the fixed contact member 7 is inserted in the cut-out 15 of the diaphragm 4. The extension 16 of the fixed contact member 7 has a recess, notch, groove, or the like, 17 formed in an inside edge thereof. The recess 17 of the fixed contact member 7 encloses the diaphragm 4.

When the fixed contact member 7 is positioned as shown in FIG. 4, for the purpose of moving the extension 16 of said fixed contact member into the cut-out 15 of the diaphragm 4, said fixed contact member is secured in the indicated position, after the displacement of the clamping body 2. A part 18 of the fixed contact member 7 projects into the clamping body 2 and constitutes the connection between said fixed contact member and the electrically conducting lead 1. The electrical equipment, not shown in the FIGS., but intended to be connected to the electrically conductive lead 1, is electrically connected to the fixed contact member 7.

In FIG. 4, the clamping body 2 and the diaphragm 4 are illustrated in section, at different levels. The cut-out 15 of the diaphragm 4 is preferably so positioned that the clamping body 2 and said diaphragm must be displaced or moved beyond the notch 14 of the housing portion 5 in order to prevent a traverse of the position of said diaphragm required for insertion of the fixed contact member 7 during operation of the frame clamp. The diaphragm 4 of the frame clamp of the invention thus permits the secure insertion of the electrical conductor 1 into the clamping body 2 and the locking of said clamping body in the desired position. Furthermore, the diaphragm 4 secures the fixed contact member 7 against displacement, when said fixed contact member is in its inserted position.

The frame clamp of the invention may be provided in open position, so that the mounting of the pressure spring, prior to the insertion of. the electrical conductor 1, may be eliminated. The structure of the frame clamp of the invention is so simple that it is well suited for mass production.

The embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 is, for the most part, similar to that of FIGS. 1 to 4.

The frame clamp of FIGS. 5 and 6 electrically connects an electrical conductor or lead 1 to a fixed contact member 7 of electrical apparatus (not shown in the FIGS.). The frame clamp comprises a clamping body 2. A threaded clamping member 3 is threadedly coupled to the clamping body 2. A diaphragm member 4 is afiixed to the clamping body 2. The clamping body 2 and the diaphragm member 4 are inserted in a housing portion 5.

The housing 5 has a lead-in funnel 6 formed therethrough to accommodate the conductor 1. The threaded clamping member is threadedly coupled with the superimposed ends (not shown in detail in the FIGS.) of the clamping body 2 of the frame clamp. The fixed contact member 7 extends into the clamping body 2 and functions as a pressure member for the threaded clamping member 3, so that during the turning of said threaded clamping member, said clamping body 2 and the diaphragm member 4, which is affixed thereto, are moved against the direction of rotation of said threaded clamping member.

When the threaded clamping member 3 is rotated or turned, the bottom 8 of the-clamping member 2 moves upward, abuts the electrical contact 1, and urges said electrical contact into abutment with the fixed contact member 7. The turning of the threaded clamping member 3 thus provides an electrical contact between the electrically conducting lead 1 and the fixed contact member 7..

The diaphragm member 4 and the clamping plate 2 may be affixed to each other in any suitable manner. One method of affixing the clamping body 2 and the diaphragm member 4 to each other is by providing a protrusion, extension, or the like, 9 on said clamping body and positioning said clamping body so that said protrusion extends into an opening 10 formed in the diaphragm member 4.

An insertion opening 11 is formed through the diaphragm member 4 to accommodate the electrical conductor 1 and to direct said conductor into the opening of the clamping body 2. A protrusion, extension, or the like, 13 is formed on the surface of a portion 12 of the diaphragm member 4. The portion 12 of the diaphragm member 4 has the shape of an ear, tongue, fin, lobe, or the like. The protrusion 13 of the ear portion 12 of the diaphragm member 4 extends into a notch, recess, groove, or the like, 14 formed in the housing 5.

The ear shaped portion 12 of the diaphragm member 4 is elastic so that the protrusion 13 seats in the groove 14. This establishes the open position of the frame clamp and affixes the clamping body 2 in the housing 5. The fixed contact member 7 is movably guided in grooves or slots in the housing 5 (not shown in the FIGS.) and is prevented from shifting by being coupled to the diaphragm member 4.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lead-in funnel 6 of the housing 5 has four walls 20, 21, 22 and 23. The walls 20, 21 and 22 are firmly affixed to the housing 5 and the wall 23 is affixed to the diaphragm member 4 (FIG. 5). The wall 23 of the lead-in funnel 6 comprises synthetic material which is pressed against the diaphragm member 4 and extends beyond the protrusion 9 of the clamping body 2 (FIG. 5).

The wall 23 of the lead-funnel 6 may also be manufactured by bending out the punched out portion of the diaphragm member 4 whereby the width of the insertion opening 11 of said diaphragm member must be made somewhat greater. When the diaphragm member 4 comprises metal, there is the disadvantage that the potential applied at the clamping body 2 is directed toward the service or operating side. A simple embodiment is provided by making the protrusion 9 of the clamping body 2, the wall 23 of the lead-in funnel 6 and the diaphragm member 4 as an integral component affixed to said clamping body.

When the threaded clamping member 3 is turned into the clamping body 2, said clamping body moves upward with the diaphragm member 4 and the wall 23 of the lead-in funnel 6. Since the wall 21 of the lead-in funnel no longer functions directly as an insertion wall for the insertion opening 11 of the diaphragm member 4, which is really not important, since the electrical conductor 1 is inserted when the frame clamp is open, it may still be preferable, if the position of the frame clamp permits, to affix said wall to said diaphragm member. It may thus be feasible to affix the walls 21 and 23 of the lead-in funnel 6 to the diaphragm member 4.

FIGS. 7 and 8 indicate the method of manufacture of the housing 5 of the frame clamp of FIGS. 1 to 4 of the invention and the method of manufacture of the housing 5 of the frame clamp of FIGS. 5 and 6 of the invention. FIG. 7 illustrates the method of manufacture of the housing 5 of the frame clamp of FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 8 illustrates the method of manufacture of the housing 5 of the frame clamp of FIGS. 5 and 6.

In FIG. 7, the lead-in funnel 6 of the housing 5 has four fixed walls. It is therefore necessary to provide a mold or form for producing the housing 5 of a plurality of parts 24, 25 and 26. The part 26 functions substantially as the core.

As shown in FIG. 8, the housing 5 of the frame clamp of the invention may be assembled or manufactured in a much simpler manner by the utilization of a mold or form of much simpler structure. The mold includes a part 27 which is a combination, in a single part, of the parts 25 and 26 of the mold of FIG. 7.

While the invention has been described by means of specific examples and in specific embodiments, we do not wish to be limited thereto, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A frame clamp for connecting an electrical conductor to a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus, said frame clamp being housed in a housing having a lead-in funnel opening thereinto, said frame clamp comprising a substantially planar plate-like diaphragm member having an insertion opening formed therethrough corresponding to and cooperating with the funnel of said housing when said diaphragm member is in position in said housing;

a clamping body affixed to said diaphragm member at the insertion opening thereof whereby an electrical conductor passes through said funnel and said insertion opening into said clamping body, said clamping body having a bottom member, a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus extending into said clamping body in said housing;

threaded clamping means threadedly coupled to said clamping body for moving the bottom member of said clamping body upward thereby bringing the electrical conductor into electrical contact with the fixed contact member, said clamping body moving transverse to said one of the walls of said lead-in funnel and said diaphragm member sealing an opening between the bottom of said clamping body and said lead-in funnel; and

cooperating means on said diaphragm member and said housing for establishing the open position of said frame clamp and aflixing said clamping body stationan'ly within said housing.

2. A frame clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein said diaphragm member is substantially elastic and said diaphragm member locates the clamping body in the housing.

3. A frame clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein said diaphragm member and said fixed contact member include cooperating means for preventing the displacement of said fixed contact member in said housing.

4. A frame clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lead-in funnel has a plurality of walls and said diaphragm member is provided with one of the walls of said lead in funnel, said clamping body is coupled to said one of the walls of said leadin funnel, and said clamping body moves with said one of said walls and with said diaphragm member.

5. A frame clamp as claimed in claim 4, wherein said one of the walls of the lead-in funnel of said housing comprises synthetic material.

6. A frame clamp for connecting an electrical conductor to a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus, said frame clamp being housed in a housing having a lead-in funnel opening thereinto, said frame clamp comprising a plate-like diaphragm member having an insertion opening formed therethrough corresponding to and cooperating with the funnel of said housing when said diaphragm member is in position in said housing;

a clamping body affixed to said diaphragm member at the insertion opening thereof whereby an electrical conductor passes through said funnel and said insertion opening into said clamping body, said clamping body having a bottom-member, a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus extending into said clamping member in said housing;

threaded clamping means threadedly coupled to said clamping body for moving the bottom member of said clamping body upward thereby bringing the electrical conductor into electrical contact with the fixed contact member, said clamping body moving transverse to said one of the walls of said lead-in funnel and said diaphragm member sealing an opening between the bottom of said clamping body and said lead-in funnel; and

cooperating means on said diaphragm member and said fixed contact member of preventing the displacement of said fixed contact member in said housing, said cooperating means comprising a cut-out formed in the edge of said diaphragm member and an extension formed on said fixed contact member, the extension of said fixed contact member having a recess formed therein which cooperates with the cut-out of said diaphragm member.

7. A frame clamp for connecting an electrical conductor to a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus, said frame clamp being housed in a housing having a lead-in funnel opening thereinto, said frame clamp comprising a plate-like diaphragm member having an insertion opening informed therethrough corresponding to and cooperating with the funnel of said housing when said diaphragm member is in position in said housing;

a clamping body affixed to said diaphragm member at the insertion opening thereof whereby an electrical conductor passes through said funnel and said insertion opening into said clamping body, said clamping body having a bottom member, a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus extending into said clamping member in said housing;

threaded clamping means threadedly coupled to said clamping body for moving the bottom member of said clamping body upward thereby bringing the electrical conductor into electrical contact with the fixed contact member, said clamping body moving transverse to said one of the walls of said lead-in funnel and said diaphragm member sealing an opening between the bottom of said clamping body and said lead-in funnel; and

cooperating means on said diaphragm member and said fixed contact member for preventing the displacement of said fixed contact member in said housing, said diaphragm member having a recess formed therethrough and said clamping body having an extension seated in said recess and affixed to said diaphragm member.

8. A frame clamp for connecting an electrical conductor to a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus, said frame clamp being housed in a housing having a lead-in funnel opening thereinto, said frame clamp comprising a plate-like diaphragm member having an insertion opening formed therethrough corresponding to and cooperating with the funnel of said housing when said diaphragm member is in position in said housing;

a clamping body affixed to said diaphragm member at the insertion opening thereof whereby an electrical conductor passes through said funnel and said insertion opening into said clamping body, said clamping body having a bottom member, a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus extending into said clamping member in said housing;

threaded clamping means threadedly coupled to said clamping body for moving the bottom member of said clamping body upward thereby bringing the electrical conductor into electrical contact with the fixed contact member, said clamping body moving transverse to said one of the walls of said leadin funnel and said diaphragm member sealing an opening between the bottom of said clamping body and said lead-in funnel; and

cooperating means on said diaphragm member and said fixed contact member for preventing the displacement of said fixed contact member in said housing, said housing having a notch formed therein and said diaphragm member having a protrusion extending therefrom and adapted to seat in said notch thereby positioning said frame clamp in said housing.

9. A frame clamp for connecting an electrical conductor. to

a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus, said frame clamp being housed in a housing having a lead-in funnel opening thereinto, said lead-in funnel having a plurality of walls, said frame clamp comprising a plate-like diaphragm member provided with one of the a clamping body affixed to said diaphragm member at the insertion opening thereof whereby an electrical conductor passes through said funnel and said insertion opening into said clamping body, said clamping body having a bottom member, a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus extending into said clamping member in said housing; and

threaded clamping means threadedly coupled to said clamping body for movin the bottom member of said clamping body upward there y bringing the electrical conductor into electrical contact with the fixed contact member, said clamping body moving transverse to said one of the walls of said lead-in funnel and said diaphragm member sealing an opening between the bottom of said clamping body and said lead-in funnel.

10. A frame clamp for connecting an electrical conductor to a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus, said frame clamp being housed in a housing having a lead-in funnel opening thereinto, said lead-in funnel having a plurality of walls, said frame clamp comprising i a plate-like diaphragm member provided with one of the walls of said lead-in funnel and having an insertion opening formed therethrough corresponding to and cooperating with the funnel of said housing when said diaphragm member is in position in said housing, said one of the walls of the lead-in funnel of said housing being movably guided in said housing;

a clamping body afiixed to said diaphragm member at the insertion opening thereof whereby an electrical conductor passes through said funnel and said insertion opening into said clamping body, said clamping body having a bottom member, a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus extending into said clamping member in said housing; and

threaded clamping means threadedly coupled to said clamping body for moving the bottom member of said clamping body upward thereby bringing the electrical conductor into electrical contact with the fixed contact member, said clamping body moving transverse to said one of the walls of said lead-in funnel and said diaphragm member sealing an opening between the bottom of said clamping body and said lead-in funnel. 

1. A frame clamp for connecting an electrical conductor to a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus, said frame clamp being housed in a housing having a lead-in funnel opening thereinto, said frame clamp comprising a substantially planar plate-like diaphragm member having an insertion opening formed therethrough corresponding to and cooperating with the funnel of said housing when said diaphragm member is in position in said housing; a clamping body affixed to said diaphragm member at the insertion opening thereof whereby an electrical conductor passes through said funnel and said insertion opening into said clamping body, said clamping body having a bottom member, a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus extending into said clamping body in said housing; threaded clamping means threadedly coupled to said clamping body for moving the bottom member of said clamping body upward thereby bringing the electrical conductor into electrical contact with the fixed contact member, said clamping body moving transverse to said one of the walls of said lead-in funnel and said diaphragm member sealing an opening between the bottom of said clamping body and said lead-in funnel; and cooperating means on said diaphragm member and said housing for establishing the open position of said frame clamp and affixing said clamping body stationarily within said housing.
 2. A frame clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein said diaphragm member is substantially elastic and said diaphragm member locates the clamping body in the housing.
 3. A frame clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein said diaphragm member and said fixed contact member include cooperating means for preventing the displacement of said fixed contact member in said housing.
 4. A frame clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lead-in funnel has a plurality of walls and said diaphragm member is provided with one of the walls of said lead-in funnel, said clamping body is coupled to said one of the walls of said lead-in funnel, and said clamping body moves with said one of said walls and with said diaphragm member.
 5. A frame clamp as claimed in claim 4, wherein said one of the walls of the lead-in funnel of said housing comprises synthetic material.
 6. A frame clamp for connecting an electrical conductor to a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus, said frame clamp being housed in a housing having a lead-in funnel opening thereinto, said frame clamp comprising a plate-like diaphragm member having an insertion opening formed therethrough corresponding to and cooperating with the funnel of said housing when said diaphragm member is in position in said housing; a Clamping body affixed to said diaphragm member at the insertion opening thereof whereby an electrical conductor passes through said funnel and said insertion opening into said clamping body, said clamping body having a bottom member, a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus extending into said clamping member in said housing; threaded clamping means threadedly coupled to said clamping body for moving the bottom member of said clamping body upward thereby bringing the electrical conductor into electrical contact with the fixed contact member, said clamping body moving transverse to said one of the walls of said lead-in funnel and said diaphragm member sealing an opening between the bottom of said clamping body and said lead-in funnel; and cooperating means on said diaphragm member and said fixed contact member of preventing the displacement of said fixed contact member in said housing, said cooperating means comprising a cut-out formed in the edge of said diaphragm member and an extension formed on said fixed contact member, the extension of said fixed contact member having a recess formed therein which cooperates with the cut-out of said diaphragm member.
 7. A frame clamp for connecting an electrical conductor to a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus, said frame clamp being housed in a housing having a lead-in funnel opening thereinto, said frame clamp comprising a plate-like diaphragm member having an insertion opening informed therethrough corresponding to and cooperating with the funnel of said housing when said diaphragm member is in position in said housing; a clamping body affixed to said diaphragm member at the insertion opening thereof whereby an electrical conductor passes through said funnel and said insertion opening into said clamping body, said clamping body having a bottom member, a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus extending into said clamping member in said housing; threaded clamping means threadedly coupled to said clamping body for moving the bottom member of said clamping body upward thereby bringing the electrical conductor into electrical contact with the fixed contact member, said clamping body moving transverse to said one of the walls of said lead-in funnel and said diaphragm member sealing an opening between the bottom of said clamping body and said lead-in funnel; and cooperating means on said diaphragm member and said fixed contact member for preventing the displacement of said fixed contact member in said housing, said diaphragm member having a recess formed therethrough and said clamping body having an extension seated in said recess and affixed to said diaphragm member.
 8. A frame clamp for connecting an electrical conductor to a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus, said frame clamp being housed in a housing having a lead-in funnel opening thereinto, said frame clamp comprising a plate-like diaphragm member having an insertion opening formed therethrough corresponding to and cooperating with the funnel of said housing when said diaphragm member is in position in said housing; a clamping body affixed to said diaphragm member at the insertion opening thereof whereby an electrical conductor passes through said funnel and said insertion opening into said clamping body, said clamping body having a bottom member, a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus extending into said clamping member in said housing; threaded clamping means threadedly coupled to said clamping body for moving the bottom member of said clamping body upward thereby bringing the electrical conductor into electrical contact with the fixed contact member, said clamping body moving transverse to said one of the walls of said lead-in funnel and said diaphragm member sealing an opening between the bottom of said clamping body and said lead-in funnel; and cooperating means on said diaphragm member and said fixed contact member for preventing the displacement of said fixed contact member in said housinG, said housing having a notch formed therein and said diaphragm member having a protrusion extending therefrom and adapted to seat in said notch thereby positioning said frame clamp in said housing.
 9. A frame clamp for connecting an electrical conductor to a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus, said frame clamp being housed in a housing having a lead-in funnel opening thereinto, said lead-in funnel having a plurality of walls, said frame clamp comprising a plate-like diaphragm member provided with one of the walls of said lead-in funnel and having an insertion opening formed therethrough corresponding to and cooperating with the funnel of said housing when said diaphragm member is in position in said housing, said one of the walls of the lead-in funnel of said housing and said diaphragm member constituting an integral member of synthetic material; a clamping body affixed to said diaphragm member at the insertion opening thereof whereby an electrical conductor passes through said funnel and said insertion opening into said clamping body, said clamping body having a bottom member, a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus extending into said clamping member in said housing; and threaded clamping means threadedly coupled to said clamping body for moving the bottom member of said clamping body upward thereby bringing the electrical conductor into electrical contact with the fixed contact member, said clamping body moving transverse to said one of the walls of said lead-in funnel and said diaphragm member sealing an opening between the bottom of said clamping body and said lead-in funnel.
 10. A frame clamp for connecting an electrical conductor to a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus, said frame clamp being housed in a housing having a lead-in funnel opening thereinto, said lead-in funnel having a plurality of walls, said frame clamp comprising a plate-like diaphragm member provided with one of the walls of said lead-in funnel and having an insertion opening formed therethrough corresponding to and cooperating with the funnel of said housing when said diaphragm member is in position in said housing, said one of the walls of the lead-in funnel of said housing being movably guided in said housing; a clamping body affixed to said diaphragm member at the insertion opening thereof whereby an electrical conductor passes through said funnel and said insertion opening into said clamping body, said clamping body having a bottom member, a fixed contact member of electrical apparatus extending into said clamping member in said housing; and threaded clamping means threadedly coupled to said clamping body for moving the bottom member of said clamping body upward thereby bringing the electrical conductor into electrical contact with the fixed contact member, said clamping body moving transverse to said one of the walls of said lead-in funnel and said diaphragm member sealing an opening between the bottom of said clamping body and said lead-in funnel. 